BELEDO Guitarist | Pianist | Composer | Recording Artist | Producer
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Guitarist | Pianist | Composer | Arranger | Recording Artist | Producer “Beledo is the epitome of excellent musical individuality and a profound example of the universality of jazz’s presence and influence in every corner of our planet. His new recording, MONTEVIDEO JAZZ DREAMS, exemplifies this and more.” Stix Hooper “Beledo is considered a real myth among Uruguayan music connoisseurs.” El Pais, Montevideo, Uruguay “Beledo plays mostly jazz-influenced rock; he has enough talent to provide for both musical forms. When he comes to manifest his own coined style, preferably leaning towards jazz (of course) he will be a monster like his mentors." Michael Fagien, JAZZIZ “Very few have been able to build a bridge between straight- ahead and the more melodic renderings of what we call contemporary and/or smooth jazz. Beledo is one of those few… I recognized that MONTEVIDEO JAZZ DREAMS was different from my usual jazz fare… I liked what I heard and stayed. When Beledo writes and plays, he remembers the listener; he remembers that others will hear his music. He didn't forget that he was playing for me!” Abyss Jazz Magazine New York guitarist, pianist, and composer, Beledo was born in Montevideo Uruguay. He began formal music and piano study at age six. As the British Invasion began to take hold of airwaves around the world, influenced by the Beatles and other emerging pop rock bands, he gravitated towards and discovered a natural proficiency for guitar. Beledo gained guitar-hero status in his teens, playing every theatre in his hometown of Montevideo, and captivating audiences in Uruguay and Argentina. After a brief tenure with Uruguayan rock and blues super-group, Dias de Blues, Beledo pioneered the jazz-rock band, Maytreya, and later on, the mythical Siddhartha, inspired by the burgeoning jazz- fusion movement (Chick Corea, Weather Report, Soft Machine & etc.). His fusion efforts of the early 80’s in South America, during which he appeared at top venues and recorded with Pedro Aznar (formerly with Pat Metheny Group), Ruben Rada, and the legendary band, Opa, attracted media attention in the U.S., where he gained recognition as an upcoming talent in GUITAR PLAYER and JAZZIZ magazines. Formal music studies continued throughout his college career. He performed classical music recitals on National Public Radio and in numerous theaters. While attending the University School of Music in Uruguay, he was a founding member of The University Conservatory Jazz Quartet, the university’s first jazz ensemble, sponsored by the school in an effort to integrate jazz into the traditional curriculum. Beledo is the guitar player on the album, FORWARD MOTION, by the South African Jazz band, Ojoyo, featuring saxophonist and band leader, Morris Goldberg; drummer, Anton Fig and bassist Bakithi Kumalo. In 1996 Beledo toured Europe and the Caribbean with the TROPICAL TRIBUTE TO THE BEATLES, featuring Tito Puente, Celia Cruz, Tito Nieves, Cheo Feliciano, and an all-star line up of Latin artists. Versed in classical theory, composition and technique, adept in the traditional styles of his birthplace, drawing inspiration from vast and diverse modern musical forms, Beledo has earned his place among the most sophisticated, versatile, and gifted artists of our time. His current CD, MONTEVIDEO JAZZ DREAMS features Stefon Harris, Randy Brecker, Manolo Badrena, Andy Middleton, David Finck, Jorge Camiruaga, and Chris Komer. TIME LINE 1984 – 1987 Work with Pedro Aznar (Pat Metheny Group), participating in his album, FOTOS DE TOKYO (1986 – EMI Argentina), together with pianist Mario Parmisano (Al Di Meola). Toured and recording in Argentina with Pedro Aznar, Miguel Mateos (Rock en Español) and renowned composer / Candombe percussionist and singer, Ruben Rada. He scored string ensembles for singer / songwriter, Miguel Cantilo and progressive rock multi-instrumentalist, David Lebón (Pappo's Blues, Serú Girán, & etc.). 1984 also saw the formation of the Beledo Jazz Trio with Popo Romano and Miguel Romano. 1987 Teatro Del Notariado and Teatro Del Tinglado, Montevideo, performances with band members Jorge Camiruaga, Fernando "Lobo" Nuñez, Urbano Moraes, Diego Ebbeler, Sergio Faluòtico, and Josè Pìriz. Live performance and recording (OPA EN VIVO) with jazz / rock / Candombe group, Opa, in Montevideo, Uruguay, featuring Hugo Fattoruso and Ruben Rada. TIME LINE, Continued 1990 Hemispheres (Los Angeles): Beledo, David J. Carpenter, Matt Otto, and Michael Bissonnette. Bob Nagy's recording session with Gary Willis (Tribal Tech) and Bill Berg (Flim and the BBs, Wayne Johnson Trio). 1991 UCLA certified program for film scoring. Musical co-production with Peter Aykroyd for the Warner Brothers film, NOTHING BUT TROUBLE, starring Demi Moore, John Candy, Dan Aykroyd, and Chevy Chase. 1993 Hemispheres performance at the NAMM Show, Anaheim,CA with band members David J. Carpenter, Casey Scheuerell, Ann Patterson, Mike Faue, and Eddie Drayton. 1996 Collaboration on the New York production of Ruben Rada’s album, MONTEVIDEO. The album, featuring Anton Fig, Bakhiti Kumalo, Hiram Bullock and Hugo Fattoruso, reached platinum sales in Uruguay. 1997 Concert at the Theater of the National Library, Uruguay, presenting LEJANAS SERRANIAS, a World-Jazz acoustic work, incorporating classic Uruguayan musical forms and Spanish Flamenco styles. With Jorge Camiruaga, Ariel Ameijenda, Edu Lombardo, and Popo Romano. 1999 Production of the album CANDOMBE EN NEW YORK with drummer / band leader, Ramon Echegaray, Hugo Fattoruso, Bakithi Kumalo, and Arturo Prendez. 2000 Uruguay release of DESDE LA TORRE, Beledo’s New York and Los Angeles recording sessions. The CD features extraordinary musicians from both coasts; David J. Carpenter (bass), Jonathan Joseph (drums), Mario Rodriguez (bass), Casey Scheuerell (drums), Kalani (vibraphone, percussion), and Ann Patterson (sax). 2000 Piano and guitar recording for the Candombe song, SPEAK TO ME, by South African bass player, Bakithi Kumalo (Paul Simon, Herbie Hancock, Paul Winter, Gloria Estefan). The song is included in Kumalo’s second solo album, IN FRONT OF MY EYES (Siam Records). Flamenco guitar performance with Argentine actress, Cristina Allende, presenting selected poems of Federico García Lorca at the Greenwich Theatre, New York, produced by Camila Perisée. 2001 Montevideo, Uruguay Jazz Tour: Special guest soloist for the Landes Jugend Jazz Orchester Hessen, Germany (Night of the Big Bands) concert, and opening for Marcus Miller’s Event of The Year concert. 2003 South American Folklore CD release, SPIRIT OF MY PEOPLE, with Jorge Alfano and Akoncagua, featuring percussionist, Randy Crafton. Produced by Peter Kater for the world music label, Earthsea Records. 2004 Musical Director for THE UPSIDE DOWN BOY, (music composed by Cristian Amigo). Production of New York theater and arts education organization, Making Books Sing (http://www.MakingBooksSing.org). 2005 With Jorge Camiruaga Quartet, La Pataia International Jazz Festival, Punta del Este. Performance and premiere of MONTEVIDEO JAZZ DREAMS at Sala Zitarrosa, Montevideo with Jorge Camiruaga, Osvaldo Fattoruso, Santiago Gutierrez, Gerardo Alonso, Damián Barrera, Benjamin Browne. 2007 MONTEVIDEO JAZZ DREAMS release (Gudari Records), featuring Stefon Harris (vibraphone), Randy Brecker (trumpet), Manolo Badrena (drums and percussion), Mark Walker (drums), Andy Middleton (sax), David Finck (upright bass), Jorge Camiruaga (vibraphone), Chris Komer (French horn). Also in 2007, University School of Music, Uruguay, Master Class offering perspective of harmony, composition, and improvisation to classical music students. TIME LINE, Continued 2008 Participation in Manolo Badrena's percussion instructional DVD (MANOLO BADRENA'S ALL THAT PERCUSSION) explaining the different voices of the Afro-Uruguayan rhythm, “Candombe,” and performing a Candombe fusion song on guitar with Manolo on percussion. 2009 RIVERFEST performance with Adam Holzman (keyboards), Lincoln Goines (bass), Kim Plainfield (drums), and Beledo (guitar), leading to the formation of the band, The Avengers. 2012 Release of THE AVENGERS – ON A MISSION, debuted during the band’s 2010 South American Tour, including performances at the foremost festivals, theaters and cultural venues across Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay. Conclusion of the tour in New York with performances at Shapeshifter Lab, Jazz On The Vine and Seventy-Eight Below. Adam Holzman (keyboards), Lincoln Goines (bass), Kim Plainfield (drums), and Beledo (guitar). 2011 YOU TANGO? World Premiere Tango Extravaganza produced and directed by Angel Gil Orrios. Music composed, arranged and directed by Latin Grammy winner Maestro Raul Jaurena. Thalia Spanish Theater, New York. Raul Jaurena (Bandoneon), Beledo (Guitar), Pablo Aslan (Double Bass), Maurizio Najt (Piano), Sergio Reyes (Violin). Featuring singer, Marga Mitchell, and dancers, Ivan Terrazas, Sara Grdan, Mariana Fresno, Diego Ocampo. 2012 TANGO 5 SENTIDOS World Premiere musical exploring the five senses with new music composed and arranged by Latin Grammy winner Raul Jaurena; conceived, designed & directed by Angel Gil Orrios. Eight-week engagement at Thalia Spanish Theater, New York. Raul Jaurena (Bandoneon), Beledo (Guitar), Mauricio Najt (Piano & Keyboards), Sergio Reyes (Violin), Avigail Malachi (Clarinet), Mauro Satalino (Percussion). Featuring singer, Marga Mitchell, and dancers, Carlos Paredes, Carolina Jaurena, Mariana Parma and Carlos Acuña. 2012 Beledo signed to the MoonJune Records label. Work on album with drummer, Gary Husband bassist,